Ride back in time to Labrador Park

Ride Labrador

Labrador Nature Reserve lies in the southern part of the main island of Singapore. The outcrop and adjacent secondary forest together with the smaller island of Sentosa across the narrow strait, form a natural gateway to Keppel Harbour. Its strategic location for defending the increasingly busy harbour was recognized from as early as 1843, and construction of the new fort completed in 1878. Remains of that fort can be seen, and the area was marked as a historic site by the National Heritage Board in 1995.

Our ride to Labrador starts from the civic district, right at the mouth of the Singapore River at the Esplanade end of Jubilee Bridge. The ride takes us past 5 heritage bridges and other bridges spanning the river. We ride on the north bank of the river past Clarke Quay, where old godowns and warehouses were conserved and turned into hip dining and entertainment establishments.

Leaving the busy city behind us, we cross Jiak Kim Bridge and join the Alexandra Park Connector. This park connector takes us pass residential areas, and a modern public housing estate. A number of gardens dot the park connector, providing tranquil spots from an otherwise concrete jungle which typifies a modern city.

On our final approach to Labrador Nature Reserve, we ride/walk on a the Berlayer (sailing) Creek boardwalk. Opened in 2012, this trail allows visitors to experience one of the last mangrove areas of Singapore and its rich floral and fauna. We emerge from Berlayer Creek into Labrador Park, where we find a formation of rocks that used to mark the entrance to the harbour for maritime sailors. This rock formation was given several names, Batu Berlayer (Sailing Rock) by the Malays, Long Ya Men (Dragon's Tooth Gate) by Chinese sailors, and Lot's Wife by British sailors, showing the importance of the natural harbour to seafarers of the past.

At a nearby park site, we take a well deserving break and take in the sight of the harbour before us. To the adventurous and energetic ones, the old fort can be explored on foot. Even though the guns and cannons from the fort are long gone, their placements can be seen within the nature reserve. There are also mysteries of secret undersea tunnels waiting to be found!

A last ride and walk on the Bukit Chermin Boardwalk brings us to the final destination of our ride, HarbourFront Tower which joins up to Harbourfront MRT station and VivoCity.

If you are looking for an afternoon of fun and leisure, you can visit the island resort of Sentosa. The Sentosa Express is a monorail service which brings you there from Lobby L, Level 3 of VivoCity.